Fodor's Expert Review Grand Barrail Château Hôtel & Spa

Presiding over the picturesque vineyards encircling St-Émilion, this fairy-tale Belle Époque château has gorgeous guest rooms that are at once classic and contemporary (for the full storybook experience, ask for one in the main 19th-century building rather than the modern luxury annex). Biking distance from the medieval town center, the property also includes surrounding parkland, gardens, and an excellent spa, making it the ideal place to enjoy the good life while investigating St-Émilion's best vintages. The château's restaurant is equally magical with its stained-glass-domed dining rooms.